Deri Woods MMG Bat & Moth Night, 12/09/2026. Report author, Simon Spencer

 After last year’s event at having been called off because of heavy rain we were apprehensive that we might need to cancel again at the last minute because of rain on the day. As it happened the forecast was correct and it cleared later and we didn’t get wet at all. 

We were met by Nick Burton who unlocked the gates and we set up an MV Robinson trap in the clearing, an Actinic and 2 LepiLED traps in the woodland.

Tammy Stretton from Mont WT came with several Bat recorders to listen for bats which were soon active with Soprano Pipistrelle, Common Pipistrelle and Long-eared Bat being recorded. 

We were joined by several Friends of Deri Woods.

Moths were slow for though it was very warm about 16C it had been very wet and windy all day. In the end we recorded 15 species, all macros with Small Mottled Willow being the only rarity. This species has actually been very common this year. We didn’t catch Barred Hook-tip, our target species that feeds on Beech.

The full species list is available to view here.

We packed up about midnight as there were few moths

A big thank you to Nick Burton and the Friends of Deri Woods.

Simon Spencer & Kate Gillan.

A moth survey re-visit to Cultivate, Y Drenewydd/Newtown. 30/08/2026 & 31/08/2026.

I was lucky enough to be invited back to Cultivate to conduct another moth survey on their behalf, as part of a food and nature resilience project funded by the Community Lottery Fund.

Cultivate gardens. PMG.

As always, this was a community engagement event open to the public of all ages. A delicious evening meal was prepared by Hollie for everyone followed by an introductory talk about moths. The arrival of rain indicated it was time to get outside for some shower dodging, very enthusiastic moth potting and bringing back to the table for discussion and identification.

The temperature held up well, around 13 centigrade and a steady list of moth species accumulated. It turned out to be a good night for leaf miners with three species in adult stage. Caloptilia semifascia (second brood with whitish blotch), Scythropia crataegella (partial leaf miner) and Phyllonorycter leucographella. The latter is the first photograph of an adult moth for the Montgomeryshire Moth Group website.

Caloptilia semifascia. PMG.

Scythropia crataegella. PMG.

Phyllonorycter leucographella. PMG.

A couple of colourful crowd pleasers put in an appearance. Carcina Quercana and an irrepresibly characterful Canary-shouldered Thorn.

Carcina quercana. PMG.

Canary-shouldered Thorn. PMG.

A Dusky Thorn was potted for useful comparison.

Dusky Thorn. PMG

With another engagement event the following morning, one of the MV traps was left on for the night to catch any of those late night appearances, Rosy Rustic being one

A clear sky and heavy dew wrapped up the night at 2.30am. 

Two 20w blue actinic, two 125wMV traps and a 125wMV white sheet were used

29 species were recorded:

Brimstone Moth

Canary-shouldered Thorn

Centre-barred Sallow

Common Marbled Carpet

Dusky Brocade

Dusky Thorn

Engrailed 

Flame

Flame Carpet

Garden Carpet

Large Yellow Underwing

Lesser Yellow Underwing

Old Lady 

Rosy Rustic

Rustic

Setaceous Hebrew Character

Silver Y

Small Wainscot

Square-spot Rustic

Argyresthia conjugella

Blastobasis adustella

Caloptilia semifascia

Carcina quercana

Crambus pascuella

Evergestis forficalis

Phyllonorycter leucographella (10th county record)

Scrobipalpa ocellatella (5th county record)

Scythropia crataegella (9th county record)

Stigmella aurella (Miner track in Bramble leaf)

Many thanks to the staff at Cultivate for their organising and participation. 

Thanks also to the visitors for turning out - you add invaluable motivation and purpose to these events!

Thank you to Peter Williams for verifications.

Many thanks,

Phil.

Upcoming public evening moth and bat event at Deri Woods, nr Llanfair Caereinion. 12/09/2026. In conjunction with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust.

 After poor weather cancelled this event last year, the moth group are trying again with their next public moth and bat event on Saturday 12th September at Deri Woods Llanfair Caereinion. The event starts at 7.30PM, in association with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, Friends of Deri Woods, Llanfair Caereinion Town Council and Butterfly Conservation.

There is a very good chance of seeing a county rarity, Barred Hook-tip, at this site due to the large number of Beech trees. It has been recorded here before.

Parking is at the entrance to the wood which is a short distance along the B4385 west of Llanfair Caereinioin and involves an easy walk up along the track to where the event will be based at the stone circle. 

Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for an evening, outdoor event and you will need to bring your own refreshments. A head/hand torch is essential. Insect repellent is recommended as a precaution. Please bring something to sit on if needed although there are some benches around the site.

Directions:

NGR OS099065. w3w//newsprint.soldiers.tailed SY21 0HR

From Welshpool turn off the A458 over the bridge into Llanfair Caereinion and at the top of the high street follow the road to the right and continue past the Goat Public House on the B4385.  Deri woods entrance is on the right just beyond the first bridge on the outskirts of the town.

There will be a bat walk first, using bat detectors to listen to and help identify these flying mammals which will precede moth traps being switched on around 8PM

This is a free event, no booking required.

If the event is cancelled, it will be notified by a post on this blog and also the group facebook page. Please check before setting out.

Phil McGregor & Simon Spencer (07866428875).